A Zimbabwean who was detained and was about to be deported from the UK to Zimbabwe has been released after a massive campaign. Over 77 000...
A Zimbabwean who was detained and was about to be deported from
the UK to Zimbabwe has been released after a massive campaign. Over 77 000 people signed the petition.
Victor Mujakachi said :”I was released from Morton Hall
Detention Centre on Friday the 15th of February. The amount of support and good
wishes I received from everyone whilst in detention was not only astounding but
very heartwarming. It was heartwarming because those who know me were able to
influence their families, friends and acquaintances to sign the petition set up
by ASSIST and it then reached so many others in the UK and around the
world. I was told of a family that had
grandparents, parents and grandchildren signing the petition. This is
incredible and very moving!
Thank you so much and words cannot express how profoundly
grateful I am to be in the company of such a supportive community who rise to
the occasion when it really matters and at a time when I felt completely
helpless and powerless against two very powerful governmental systems, the UK
Home Office and the Zimbabwean government.
This support would not have been possible if I had not been
living in a democratic country like Britain. Democracy in this country may not
be perfect but it guarantees freedom of expression and the acceptance of
alternative views. It is this and the massive support from people in this
country and abroad enabled me to be given a reprieve from imminent deportation.
The same cannot be said about my home country. Zimbabweans
don’t enjoy freedom of expression. When people protested in July last year when
they felt that election results were massively rigged to favour the ruling
party ZANU (PF), the response from the authorities was heavy handed and
resulted in the fatal shooting of twelve unarmed Zimbabweans by the army. In
January this year more unarmed protesters were gunned down by the army
following uprisings triggered by a 300% increase in fuel price. Many of those who
have dared criticise the government live in fear of being arrested, beaten,
tortured.
Given the appalling human rights situation in my country, I
respectfully ask the British Home Secretary the following: Please Mr Javid,
Stop all deportations to Zimbabwe. Many
Zimbabweans will be more than happy to return once the rule of law and human
rights of all citizens are respected. But right now we live in fear. Fear of
what would happen to us if we were returned, and fear for our loved ones who
are in Zimbabwe.
COMMENTS